New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday released a national framework for screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of childhood diabetes, marking the first structured approach to integrating such care into the public health system.
Titled “Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children”, it was released at the National Summit on Best Practices in Public Healthcare Service Delivery. The framework proposes universal screening of children from birth to 18 years through community and school platforms for early detection. Suspected cases will undergo blood glucose testing and be referred to district health facilities for confirmation and treatment.
The ministry also announced expansion of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) to include screening for mental health conditions and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension under revised guidelines.
Under RBSK 2.0, the programme’s existing “4Ds” approach — defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays, has been expanded to include behavioural disorders, mental health conditions and lifestyle-related diseases. The updated guidelines provide a continuum of preventive, promotive and curative care for children up to 18 years, with emphasis on digital tracking and continuity of care.
The ministry said screening will continue through mobile health teams at anganwadi centres and schools to ensure wider coverage.
The childhood diabetes framework includes a free care package at public health facilities covering screening, diagnostics, insulin therapy, glucometers, test strips and follow-up care, aimed at reducing financial burden on families.
It also outlines a referral system linking community-level screening with district hospitals and medical colleges for continued management.
To support early identification, the document promotes the “4Ts” awareness framework, Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner, for recognising symptoms of type 1 diabetes, along with training for families and caregivers in insulin use, glucose monitoring and emergency response.
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